Governor and Mrs. Perdue Host U.N. Secretary-General at State Luncheon

Today (May 8, 2008) Governor Sonny Perdue and First Lady Mary Perdue welcomed United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to a State Luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion. A diverse collection of distinguished Georgians gathered at the Mansion to honor the Secretary-General.

“Mary and I are proud to welcome the Secretary-General to Georgia and thank him for his leadership on important issues that affect the global community that is the United Nations,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Secretary-General Ban’s visit reminds us that Georgians have an ever increasingly important role in the world. From innovations in healthcare to programs to conserve our natural resources, we are proud to work with our neighbors, at home and abroad, for the greater good.”

Secretary-General Ban joined the Governor as part of an official two-day visit to Atlanta focusing on global health care. Secretary-General Ban, the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, brings to his post 37 years of service both in government and on the global stage. Previously, he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade for his native country, the Republic of Korea.

During today’s event Governor Perdue and Secretary General Ban focused on Georgia’s global outreach and the increasing need to conserve the world’s natural resources.

“Governor Perdue, your Conserve Georgia campaign is a major step forward and I commend you for it. You’ve said that Georgia’s drought is a sign that we need to conserve natural resources. I think this is true not just here but all over the world,” said U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. “I travel the world trying to make this point: that we have a responsibility to care for our planet for future generations. I applaud your State’s efforts to conserve water, save energy, safeguard lands, prevent litter and promote recycling. I’m going to share what I’ve learned here in Georgia with leaders and communities around the world.”

Approximately 130 distinguished Georgians, leaders from the fields of government, the military, education and religion from across Georgia attended the luncheon. Cultural figures from entertainment and sports also dined with the Governor and the Secretary-General.

“We look forward to welcoming the Secretary-General back to Georgia whenever his busy schedule will allow,” said Governor Perdue. “I think he has found, as all visitors to our state do, that Georgians are more than happy to share our distinct blend of global understanding and southern hospitality.”